NBA Betting – Suns vs. Mavericks

December 4, 2008 by Ray M.

NBA Picks – Rejuvenated Mavericks Host Reeling Suns

The days of the Phoenix Suns (11-8 SU, 8-11 ATS, 11-8 O/U) running their opponents into the ground are apparently over, BetUS NBA sports betting fanatics. The Suns have dropped three straight games in the BetUS Sportsbook and will be looking to get back in the win column in the worst way when they battle the Dallas Mavericks (9-8 SU, 8-9 ATS, 8-9 O/U) at American Airlines Center tonight.

The Suns changed head coaches following last season’s playoff failure, opting to part ways with offensive-minded innovator Mike D’Antoni for more defensive-minded first-year head coach Terry Porter.

Now playing a more traditional style that features a greater emphasis on defense, more low post play featuring center Shaquille O’Neal and less focus on up-tempo offense under first-year head coach Terry Porter, the Suns have looked out of sync all season long as they search for their new identity, with a group of players that clearly fit the team’s old style better.

The Suns’ latest defeat came on Wednesday at the hands of the New Orleans Hornets, a 104-91 defeat in which they failed to cover the spread as 9-point road underdogs.

Playing without O’Neal and starting point guard Steve Nash, the Suns were led by Amare Stoudemire who tossed in a game-high 26 points in a losing effort.

“I thought we came out and played pretty good tonight, we just didn’t have enough at the end,” Porter said. “Offensive rebounds really hurt us, and those guys got to the line a lot.”

The Mavericks have won two straight games in the BetUS Sportsbook and seem to finally be coming together under their new head coach Rick Carlisle after some early-season struggles.

Dirk Nowitzki scored a game-high 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Jason Terry added 26 points to lead the Mavericks to a close 100-98 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, though the Mavs failed to cover the spread as 11.5-point home favorites.

“It was unorthodox really all night,” said Carlisle, whose team trailed the entire game before Barea’s last shot. “It was just a search for some energy, a spark at the defensive end. …. For a four-minute stretch we caught lightning in a bottle and found some magic.”

Here is a look at tonight’s key betting trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick:

Phoenix is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Phoenix is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Dallas
Phoenix is 3-4-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Dallas
Phoenix is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Dallas is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas’s last 7 games

NBA Odds

Phoenix Suns +4½ -110
Dallas Mavericks -4½ -110

Over 204 -110
Under 204 -110

Analysis: This pick doesn’t take much guesswork at all BetUS NBA sports betting buffs! Take the Dallas Mavericks to extend their modest winning streak, while simultaneously helping the Suns extend their skid as well.